'''Alban, Protomartyr of Britain''' was the first Christian [[martyr]] in Britain. The first mention of St. Alban is by Constantius, in his ''Life'' of St [[Germanus of Auxerre]], written about 480. His [[feast day]] is [[June 22]].

A cult connected with Alban was already in existence in the 6th century, for Bede quotes a line from one of the ''Carmina'' of [[Venantius Fortunatus]], ''Albanum egregium fæcunda Britannia profert'' ("Fruitful Britain holy Alban yields").

Bede tells several legends associated with the story of Alban's execution. On his way to the execution, Alban had to cross a river, and finding the bridge full of people, he made the waters part and crossed over on dry land. And the executioner was so impressed with Alban's faith that he also converted to Christianity on the spot, and refused to kill him. Another executioner was quickly found (whose eyes dropped out of his head when he did the deed), and the first was killed after Alban, becoming the second British martyr for Christ.